Growth parameters and organoleptic characteristics of plantain (Musa AAB Simmonds cv. Farta Velhaco) at different planting densities

In view of the role of density and spacing in the growth parameters and organoleptic characteristics of plantains, this study sought to identify the best planting density for the cultivar Farta Velhaco (Terra group) cultivated in Mato Grosso (Brazil), evaluating three spacings. For this, we carried out an experiment in a randomized block design according to the following spaces (between plants x between rows): 2.0 m x 3.0 m (density of 1,600 plants ha-1); 2.5 m x 3.0 m (density of 1,320 plants ha-1) and 3.0 m x 3.0 m (density of 1,110 plants ha-1), with 25 replicates per treatment. The following attributes were evaluated: plant height (cm); diameter of the pseudostem (cm); number of leaves; number of hands per bunch; number of fruits per hand; fresh fruit weight (g); fruit height (cm); external and internal fruit lengths (cm); fruit diameter (cm); bunch weight (kg), and productivity (t ha-1), in addition to the percentage of total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and flavor of the fruits. The density of 2.0 m x 3.0 m in the cultivation of the plantain group Terra cv. Farta Velhaco improves fruit classification attributes as well as the fruit organoleptic characteristics such as the percentage of total soluble solids and flavor.